Did you know RMU basketball tips this Saturday (TOMORROW!!)? The
countdown is on. All week CTC has been listing a rundown of things related to
RMU basketball. You can check out yesterdays piece here. With just ONE day
until game day, here is the one reason why RMU will be dancing in March.
Chris: The Depth: There’s
no doubt in my mind we’re going to see some ugly basketball from the Colonials
early in the season. How couldn't there be? You don’t just replace Velton
Jones, Russell Johnson, Coron Williams and, Shane Sweigart and expect things to
run smooth out of the gate.
 |
| Stewart is part of a deep bench for Andy Toole this year (RMU Athletics). |
Compare this to last year and it’s not even close. Outside of
Karvel and Myers-Pate,
true freshman Stephan Hawkins was seeing time, limited offensive
player David Appolon saw minutes, and then… that was it.
Not the case this time. Stewart, Oliver, Worthem, Aaron Tate,
and Desjuan Newton are all guys who expect to see solid minutes and contribute.
Once Toole can nail down his rotations… look out.
I’m ready to dance.
Lee: More Balance: This kind of goes hand in hand with what Chris touched on, but I think this years team will be much more balanced offensively and that will go a long way in helping this group get to the NCAA tournament. Last year the team relied on the three ball way too much, and as much as I love Velton Jones (and those that know me know I believe he's the best player to ever put on the RMU uniform) I think Ant Myers Pate is a solid fit to replace him and play with these types of weapons around him.
His ability to drive and kick to all the shooters will be deadly. He is also lightning quick with the ball and should benefit most from the new hand check rule. But enough about that, we know the Colonials can drive and kick for threes.
This year, I really think the addition of Desjuan Newton, Jeremiah Worthem, on top of Mike McFadden's "new role" will be the difference. The Colonials should use McFadden a lot more than they have the past two years.
Mcfadden was used only 18% of RMU's offensive possessions last season. This year that number should raise to 23%-27%. His consistent low post play will be something RMU really hasn't had in the Andy Toole era (His health, or lack there of, could be the biggest factor this season).
With that said Newton and Worthem will be the keys. I want to make this clear, I'm not saying others --like Chuck Oliver and his 3pt shooting-- won't play a big role this year, but they aren't really adding a new dimension.
Newton could be an absolute steal for Andy Toole. He is an athletic wing who can play above the rim, and won't settle for three's. When aired with Lucky Jones, RMU will have some serious athleticism on the court that should cause major problems for opposing teams on both sides of the court. I can't remember the last time RMU had two wings that were THAT athletic. Newton averaged over 17 points per game in junior college ball last year. He gets to the rim, and can finish with contact. Expect 9-10 ppg come NEC play. He will draw fouls, and will keep defense off Karvel Anderson and Lucky Jones.
Worthem could bring the other wrinkle that the Colonials have lacked for years. He may be replacing Russell Johnson's minutes, but he's a different player. He won't shoot a lot of threes, and will use his size and ability to handle the ball getting to the rim more often than Johnson did along with providing that second consistent post option to McFadden.
This won't happen overnight, but by the time NEC play roles around in January, these weapons will hopefully be ready to deploy.
If everything goes according to Andy Toole's plan, the Colonials will have two great drive and dish point guards (Stewart, Myers Pate), a ton of dead eye shooters (Anderson, Jones, Oliver), multiple athletic wings who can score (Jones, Newton), two post options (McFadden, Worthem), not to mention a bunch of guys who will do the little things --defend, rebound, take charges, etc-- in Aaron Tate, David Appolon and Stephan Hawkins.
That's a lot of depth, and a lot of different options. Hopefully is equals a tournament bid.
Chris Cappella--@C_Cappella
Lee Kunkel (@Kunkel5)
--
Lee: More Balance: This kind of goes hand in hand with what Chris touched on, but I think this years team will be much more balanced offensively and that will go a long way in helping this group get to the NCAA tournament. Last year the team relied on the three ball way too much, and as much as I love Velton Jones (and those that know me know I believe he's the best player to ever put on the RMU uniform) I think Ant Myers Pate is a solid fit to replace him and play with these types of weapons around him.
His ability to drive and kick to all the shooters will be deadly. He is also lightning quick with the ball and should benefit most from the new hand check rule. But enough about that, we know the Colonials can drive and kick for threes.
This year, I really think the addition of Desjuan Newton, Jeremiah Worthem, on top of Mike McFadden's "new role" will be the difference. The Colonials should use McFadden a lot more than they have the past two years.
Mcfadden was used only 18% of RMU's offensive possessions last season. This year that number should raise to 23%-27%. His consistent low post play will be something RMU really hasn't had in the Andy Toole era (His health, or lack there of, could be the biggest factor this season).
 |
| Newton could have a big year for RMU (RMU Athletics). |
Newton could be an absolute steal for Andy Toole. He is an athletic wing who can play above the rim, and won't settle for three's. When aired with Lucky Jones, RMU will have some serious athleticism on the court that should cause major problems for opposing teams on both sides of the court. I can't remember the last time RMU had two wings that were THAT athletic. Newton averaged over 17 points per game in junior college ball last year. He gets to the rim, and can finish with contact. Expect 9-10 ppg come NEC play. He will draw fouls, and will keep defense off Karvel Anderson and Lucky Jones.
Worthem could bring the other wrinkle that the Colonials have lacked for years. He may be replacing Russell Johnson's minutes, but he's a different player. He won't shoot a lot of threes, and will use his size and ability to handle the ball getting to the rim more often than Johnson did along with providing that second consistent post option to McFadden.
This won't happen overnight, but by the time NEC play roles around in January, these weapons will hopefully be ready to deploy.
If everything goes according to Andy Toole's plan, the Colonials will have two great drive and dish point guards (Stewart, Myers Pate), a ton of dead eye shooters (Anderson, Jones, Oliver), multiple athletic wings who can score (Jones, Newton), two post options (McFadden, Worthem), not to mention a bunch of guys who will do the little things --defend, rebound, take charges, etc-- in Aaron Tate, David Appolon and Stephan Hawkins.
That's a lot of depth, and a lot of different options. Hopefully is equals a tournament bid.
Chris Cappella--@C_Cappella
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